2011 GMC Terrain SLT Jerome ID

There’s a lot to like in the Terrain, starting with the Ecotec four-cylinder’s great gas mileage. An optional, but highly recommended, power opening and closing liftgate makes it easy to load cargo into the back. Rear seats move forward and back depending on whether passenger comfort or storage room takes priority. Interior styling is polished.

2011 GMC Terrain SLT

January 4, 2010 By Alison Lakin, Associate Editor

2010 GMC Terrain

2010 GMC Terrain DriverSide Overview It may seem like the same old tricks at General Motors with the company rebadging the Chevrolet Equinox and restyling the exterior design to produce a “new” vehicle for GMC, but to call the GMC Terrain a copycat would be to sell it short indeed. The 2010 Terrain is brand new to GMC and the first vehicle that seems geared to propel the company into the future (and hopefully out of economic trouble). It’s classified as a compact crossover SUV – despite its big boy, truck-like appearance – and has enough style and substance to make it a worthy competitor against the likes of the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V . The cabin space is superbly laid out, and the design is more thoughtfully organized and aesthetically pleasing than we’ve ever seen in a GMC. The SLT’s drive sports unexpectedly accurate responses and the car handles corners and hills competently, with an Ecotec inline-four or a V-6 on hand to give drivers a choice between fuel economy and power.

2010 GMC Terrain

2010 GMC Terrain

What's to Like There’s a lot to like in the Terrain, starting with the Ecotec four-cylinder’s great gas mileage. An optional, but highly recommended, power opening and closing liftgate makes it easy to load cargo into the back. Rear seats move forward and back depending on whether passenger comfort or storage room takes priority. Interior styling is polished.

What's Not to Like The engine lacks mid-range power, and the navigation system isn’t very intuitive. Cargo space could be improved, especially if it’s being compared to the class leaders. Exterior design makes the Terrain look bulkier than it really is, and some buyers may be put off by the aggressive look.

The Drive:DriverSide Driving Impressions Overall we were pleasantly pleased with the Terrain’s on-road performance. Because of its crossover designation it produces a softer ride than larger SUVs tend to have, though that means road feel is sacrificed. Otherwise, comfort levels are high and the vehicle is easy to handle. While there is a lack of mid-range power, acceleration is generally adequate and the Terrain gets up to speed with little trouble. The brakes are fantastic, with a good feel to them and comfortably rapid engagement. The same can’t be said for the throttle, which seems a bit sluggish to engage. The engines, a frugal four-cylinder and more robust V-6, make for very different drives, and those looking for a bit more power and excitement should opt for the larger of the two.

Engine and DrivetrainStandard in the SLT trim is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, which produces 182 horsepower and 172 lb-ft of torque. Also available is a 3.0-liter V-6 engine that gives the Terrain a significant bump in power to 264 horsepowe...